Worried about my friend, Travis the Traveler...

[FreakySquirrelGirl]

Hello all, I am totally new to this board and soooo thankful to have found you all!

Sorry to jump in with my first post in a slight crisis, but I have a group of furry bandits (eastern greys, they are my best friends) on my porch every day. Some will climb up my leg or onto my lap but none are so friendly that I could touch them or pet them. I have names for all, and love each and every one of them! (I'll post more info + pics at a later time)...

My problem is Travis (adult male grey). He came to my porch on Tuesday afternoon with a severe rear limp. I'm not sure if its a dislocation or if its a broken rear leg/foot, but he is definitely hurt. I don't think there was any trauma such as a car or a cat involved, it looks more as if he fell on it (his fur is fine and there is no blood or scrapes).

He is coming over and eating every day since Tuesday, I wait for him to come out around 1pm and I've been hand-feeding him almonds and peanuts (out of shell). Then when he's done eating I "escort" him back across the street to his tree by blocking traffic while he slowly gets across the road. He is getting a little better (less lethargic and moving a little faster) since Tues but I want to be of more help to him.

My questions to the experts are: Is there anything else I can do for him while he heals? Aspirin? OTC medicine? I realize the fact that he is eating is a very good thing. I don't want one of my best friends to suffer for one minute longer than he has to, so if there is anything I can to do help him, please let me know. I've been soooo stressed out and worried about my little guy!

I've been up all night working and I'm going to take a nap, but I'll be up waiting for him later and I'll check back on the board....

Thank you all for being here!:bowdown

Freaky:wave123

[island rehabber]

:Welcome FSG!
First, thanks for loving squirrels and caring enough to watch over them and feed them -- and escort them across traffic! :thumbsup
It's now Saturday -- has Travis improved since Tuesday? If you do see improvement, it is most likely a sprain or bruise from a fall and he will recover very well. I used to rush squirrels to the vet with things like this and it's always "keep him quiet and he'll heal by himself". IF you don't see improvement, however, it may be necessary to go to Plan B which is to trap him and have him x-rayed. Let's hope that's not the case because it is so traumatic for any squirrel, let alone a wild one.
I would not try aspirin or any other OTC med on a squirrel. If he seems to truly be in pain for much longer there may be homeopathic remedies you can give him for that -- I would PM our member Mars here, she can help with that. :)

[thundersquirrel]

definitely see if it will heal on its own. you could let your neighbors know there's an injured squirrel around, and would they please watch their dogs/drive carefully/etc.. take pictures of him- show the neighbors. a picture always helps to increase sympathy.

actually, could you take a picture and post it on the board? we'd love to see him, and assess him a little more.

another thing- watch his body closely. if he starts losing a lot of weight, his fur becomes ragged and dirty, or anything like that, let us know. you would have to capture him if his injury inhibits his ability to survive.

[Mars]

Good morning,

Yes, I know of a Homeopathic remedy that may help and a trick to administer it without actually handling the squirrel. If you are interested PM me. :) and we can discuss it. You will need to be able to get to a heath food store to get the remedy.

[FreakySquirrelGirl]

Thanks to all who responded...I really do appreciate your help!

I'm sitting here waiting for him now (as I have been for about an hour). I'll post a pic as soon as I can. He wasn't out earlier this morning with the first "round" of little guys.

I'll go to almost any lengths to help him, so a trip to the health food store is not a problem...in fact I'd be glad to go. I'm good with "human" medicines but I know these guys can't have bovine products and such, so I don't know what would be a contraindication for a squirrel. Mars, if you have advice I would really appreciated it. If he can be left to heal on his own then I can do that too, I'll just have to make sure he gets across the street OK until he gets better. I'd put food over there for him so he didn't have to cross, but the lady who lives there is kind of a "jerk" so I don't want to push my luck (or Travis' luck). We live in a suburb development that was built in the early 80s so the traffic isn't very bad, even on a Saturday.

He seems to be getting a little better since Tuesday and he looks good. He can climb the trees but he is very slow and careful (unlike his usual acrobatic self). When he has to climb or walk towards the thinner branches to cross trees he just sits there for a minute and I guess he "contemplates" it. He is grooming and I actually watched him try to scratch an itch (on the opposite side of the injury) on Thursday, and yesterday he stopped on his way toward me to try and dig up a nut but couldn't manage. I can tell he's really having a hard time. He's smart though, he stays up in the trees and slowly moves around up in the tree network instead of just walking across the lawns like he normally does. He knows enough to stay off the ground as much as possible because he is moving very slow.

I can sit near him and talk to him but if I get too close I get a "dirty look", so I try to keep him as happy as possible by keeping my distance and just reaching out and putting the food next to him. When he comes out doesn't stay for long, just about 10 minutes to eat and then he heads back over. He lives 2 yards away but thankfully only has to cross 1 street.

I'll post a pic ASAP, and thanks again for all the advice. I'm praying its just a bruise or a spraign...

:thankyou

Freaky

[Buddy'sMom]

:Welcome It's so nice that you are looking out for your little friend! Even as a crossing guard :) . He is very lucky to have found you when he needed a little assistance. :thumbsup

Many people here have had the experience of seeing one of "their" wild squirrels get hurt -- and also seeing them heal up fairly quickly. It's a good sign (I think) that he is able to climb and jump, even if it is not comfortable for him. And you are making it easier so he doesn't have to go far for food and water (:thinking :dono you mentioned food -- he might also appreciate a small bowl of fresh water in case it is hard for him to find some on his own :) ).

Hope is is back to normal soon!! Let us know how he does.

:grouphug :Love_Icon

[FreakySquirrelGirl]

BTW, sorry for the thumbs down icon for the initial question...when I first glanced, it looked like a red question mark!

It seems as if Travis isn't coming out today, OR I may have missed him while I was sleeping. :sanp3

We live by a park and there is a gathering for the local kid's football team today, so all the ruckus may have caused Travis to be alarmed and not come over.

I've been hanging out with these guys (all my little friends) for 4 years now, and I've seen my share of busted front paws, bird attacks, and other weird physical traumas with these guys...but nothing that ever had me this concerned as with Travis this week.

I want to thank you all again for being so helpful.

I'm so happy to have found y'all!!!

:grouphug

Freaky

[Abacat]

:Welcome Freaky! How's Travis doing? You are such a sweetie to watch over him and your other little fuzzy friends...
Pics would be awesome. I'll be waiting patiently :hyper
:jump

[FreakySquirrelGirl]

:jump

Thank you to all who offered help and support with my friend Travis!!!

Good news...he is OK and limping along but seems to have gotten MUCH better. He disappeared for 2 days and I really thought I wouldn't see him again, I was inconsolable...for almost 2 days I sat on the porch patiently waiting for him...went lurking in neighboring yards a few times...well finally he showed up today just before it started to get dark!!!

He spent about 10 minutes eating, the wind picked up and spooked him and he took off, but I suppose the good news is that he ran...not nearly as fast as he used to...but he definitely picked up some speed! He was still having a hard time balancing and was eating with one front paw and balancing with the other, but he seemed much better all around...the position of his leg was more straight when he sat to eat.

I finally got to sleep after he left, I was so upset I barely could eat/sleep for 2 days. I didn't get a chance to grab my camera from the bench when he arrived and I certainly wasn't going to go reaching for it when he was sitting by my hand...

Sorry I could not post sooner, but I was so upset about not seeing him I wasn't even online.

Thanks again to all who were supportive and helpful...

:wahoo

Freaky

:thankyou

[island rehabber]

:wahoo:multi:wahooTravis is Travelin' again!

So glad he's feeling better, FSG. Just keep that watchful eye on him while he's continuing to recover. :thumbsup

[4skwerlz]

What great news, FSG! I also have a group of wild squirrels that I watch over. I love them so much and worry whenever they get hurt. Once they start to get better, they are usually okay. Would love to see pics of Travis. :Love_Icon Poor little guy.:Love_Icon

[Secret Squirrel]

Good news on Travis !!!! Can you or do you have a squirrel crossing sign in front of your house ? Chris's squirrels and more have a very nice one made of metal.
Travis the Travler needs his very own crossing sign !!!!!:rotfl
:thankyou Thank you for caring for your squirrels as much as you do.:thankyou

[4skwerlz]

Good news on Travis !!!! Can you or do you have a squirrel crossing sign in front of your house ? Chris's squirrels and more have a very nice one made of metal.
Travis the Travler needs his very own crossing sign

There are some jerks that will see a "Squirrel Crossing" sign and decide it's open season on them. Sometimes a "Slow. Children Playing" sign is more effective at getting people to slow down.

[Abacat]

That's good news! :alright.gif Travis...:D

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

:Welcome :Welcome :Welcome Im a little late on the welocme wagon...
BUT I got through all the posts..was sad..then happy..
Im so happy he's doing better..and thank you for taking the time..to look..and feed the poor little guy..TRAVIS...
Great job. Travis's ...mom!!:grouphug :grouphug

[FreakySquirrelGirl]

Pic of Travis about 2 weeks ago (in the rain) when he was getting the last spots of his winter coat:
17028

I originally named him "the Traveler" because he used to live waaaay up the road...and he would travel down the sidewalk to get here, and each time I gave him a hoardable nut he had to take it all the way home, so he burned a path back & forth about 20 times a day.

I actually do have a plastic yellow "squirrel crossing" sign but I fear it would antagonize the neighbors so I put it in my foyer instead of out in the yard.

I've got about 9 squirrels coming to my porch every day. 3 or 4 additional occasional visitors will come every few days. We had a development go up nearby about a year ago and we had some relocators but they've become well-adjusted to their new neighborhood..

I had the boyfriend out there watching for Travis to cross today since I couldn't be here. He said he didn't see him but it was weird windy weather again. I promise I'll continue to watch over them, they are my little pals! The boyfriend is also attached to them and knows Travis well. They're like family to us!!!

So the prognosis on Travis is good.:thumbsup and hopefully he'll be back to normal in a few weeks. Until then I'll keep you posted on any changes, and hopefully I'll have a more recent pic of him to post for all!!!

:Love_Icon

Freaky

[SurelyWeCare]

Wow what a stud!!!mjs

[thundersquirrel]

cute pic!

i will definitely remember this situation for a good long time. a squirrel with human escorts. :D sounds like a perfect world to me!